Wonder how Honda will feel if Alonso would win the Indy 500 in a car powered by a CHEVROLET !!!

Would they feel good that he wasn't using a Honda powered car?

Well it seems that bridge between the two is burnt so hard there is no way for any cooperation in the future, they would have to swallow it somehow Better question is how Alonso will feel if Red bull with Honda engine would start winning next year...

Says who? It was McLaren's preferred choice to run Chevy and his own preferred choice was to run with McLaren as Pruett said he had other offers so not sure what he expected if his preferred choice wasn't Chevy.

Ok then it was Alonso's preferred choice to run with McLaren but Honda wouldn't supply McLaren with engines which was their preferred choice.

Who said Honda were McLaren's preferred choice? Both Pruett and this article state Chevy were McLaren's preferred choice.

I would say that goes against everything that was said before, if Chevy is the preferred chose then why did they bother with Honda in the first place or did Honda actually not say we won't supply you?

Chevy was always the one and only choice, we wouldn't want anyone thinking that McLaren got blocked by Honda in Japan perhaps?

What was said before and by whom? Afaik McLaren or Alonso never approached Honda about 2019, Chevy were McLaren's preferred choice. Honda themselves said they'd be happy to work with Alonso and he had unnamed offers to ride with other teams in Indy which may well have included Honda powered teams for all we know but he wanted to do it with McLaren.

Maybe you wouldn't want to know that McLaren had no interest with working with Honda perhaps? HPD when they said they'd happily work with Alonso never mentioned McLaren so imo based on what we've heard I'd say the likelihood is McLaren and Honda have no desire to work with each other at the moment and it was never on the table from either side.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

I've heard from a well informed journalist that it was purely Honda decision, they just didn't want Alonso to drive a car with their engine. All the story behind with Chevy is a PR stuff.

And Honda denied that publicly. Twice.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

Says who? It was McLaren's preferred choice to run Chevy and his own preferred choice was to run with McLaren as Pruett said he had other offers so not sure what he expected if his preferred choice wasn't Chevy.

Ok then it was Alonso's preferred choice to run with McLaren but Honda wouldn't supply McLaren with engines which was their preferred choice.

Who said Honda were McLaren's preferred choice? Both Pruett and this article state Chevy were McLaren's preferred choice.

I would say that goes against everything that was said before, if Chevy is the preferred chose then why did they bother with Honda in the first place or did Honda actually not say we won't supply you?

Chevy was always the one and only choice, we wouldn't want anyone thinking that McLaren got blocked by Honda in Japan perhaps?

What was said before and by whom? Afaik McLaren or Alonso never approached Honda about 2019, Chevy were McLaren's preferred choice. Honda themselves said they'd be happy to work with Alonso and he had unnamed offers to ride with other teams in Indy which may well have included Honda powered teams for all we know but he wanted to do it with McLaren.

Maybe you wouldn't want to know that McLaren had no interest with working with Honda perhaps? HPD when they said they'd happily work with Alonso never mentioned McLaren so imo based on what we've heard I'd say the likelihood is McLaren and Honda have no desire to work with each other at the moment and it was never on the table from either side.

I heard that Honda would work with Alonso but not McLaren, the problem then being that Alonso wants to do the Indy 500 with McLaren so hence it had to be with Chevy.

Ok then it was Alonso's preferred choice to run with McLaren but Honda wouldn't supply McLaren with engines which was their preferred choice.

Who said Honda were McLaren's preferred choice? Both Pruett and this article state Chevy were McLaren's preferred choice.

I would say that goes against everything that was said before, if Chevy is the preferred chose then why did they bother with Honda in the first place or did Honda actually not say we won't supply you?

Chevy was always the one and only choice, we wouldn't want anyone thinking that McLaren got blocked by Honda in Japan perhaps?

What was said before and by whom? Afaik McLaren or Alonso never approached Honda about 2019, Chevy were McLaren's preferred choice. Honda themselves said they'd be happy to work with Alonso and he had unnamed offers to ride with other teams in Indy which may well have included Honda powered teams for all we know but he wanted to do it with McLaren.

Maybe you wouldn't want to know that McLaren had no interest with working with Honda perhaps? HPD when they said they'd happily work with Alonso never mentioned McLaren so imo based on what we've heard I'd say the likelihood is McLaren and Honda have no desire to work with each other at the moment and it was never on the table from either side.

I heard that Honda would work with Alonso but not McLaren, the problem then being that Alonso wants to do the Indy 500 with McLaren so hence it had to be with Chevy.

Right, but had you heard McLaren wanted to work with Honda in the first place? I haven't and everywhere I look I see Chevy listed as their preference for 2019.

I think McLaren and Honda would find it very difficult to work together this soon after the split tbh so the idea they wanted Chevy from the off doesn't surprise me any.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

What I'm not that sure of tbh is why Alonso is so determined to do it with Macca. You'd think considering his only goal is a one off race that he'd be better placed to run with a standout team with bags of experience like an Andretti rather than what will be a bit of a newb one off outfit with McLaren-IndyCar.

Its great and all don't get me wrong, I love the idea of McLaren doing different series and I can see some benefit for Alonso to keep close ties with Macca as a route back to F1 if he fancies it but from a getting in the best place possible to win the 500 standpoint I can think of some better alternatives and he allegedly had the offers so why the insistence he does it with McLaren?

What am I missing?

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

What I'm not that sure of tbh is why Alonso is so determined to do it with Macca. You'd think considering his only goal is a one off race that he'd be better placed to run with a standout team with bags of experience like an Andretti rather than what will be a bit of a newb one off outfit with McLaren-IndyCar.

Its great and all don't get me wrong, I love the idea of McLaren doing different series and I can see some benefit for Alonso to keep close ties with Macca as a route back to F1 if he fancies it but from a getting in the best place possible to win the 500 standpoint I can think of some better alternatives and he allegedly had the offers so why the insistence he does it with McLaren?

Who said Honda were McLaren's preferred choice? Both Pruett and this article state Chevy were McLaren's preferred choice.

I would say that goes against everything that was said before, if Chevy is the preferred chose then why did they bother with Honda in the first place or did Honda actually not say we won't supply you?

Chevy was always the one and only choice, we wouldn't want anyone thinking that McLaren got blocked by Honda in Japan perhaps?

What was said before and by whom? Afaik McLaren or Alonso never approached Honda about 2019, Chevy were McLaren's preferred choice. Honda themselves said they'd be happy to work with Alonso and he had unnamed offers to ride with other teams in Indy which may well have included Honda powered teams for all we know but he wanted to do it with McLaren.

Maybe you wouldn't want to know that McLaren had no interest with working with Honda perhaps? HPD when they said they'd happily work with Alonso never mentioned McLaren so imo based on what we've heard I'd say the likelihood is McLaren and Honda have no desire to work with each other at the moment and it was never on the table from either side.

I heard that Honda would work with Alonso but not McLaren, the problem then being that Alonso wants to do the Indy 500 with McLaren so hence it had to be with Chevy.

Right, but had you heard McLaren wanted to work with Honda in the first place? I haven't and everywhere I look I see Chevy listed as their preference for 2019.

I think McLaren and Honda would find it very difficult to work together this soon after the split tbh so the idea they wanted Chevy from the off doesn't surprise me any.

I think it's a case of what came first the chicken or the egg, all early talk was of Honda then we heard talk of problems with Honda and now it's Chevy. They've always wanted to run under the Andretti umbrella but they run Hondas so the Chevy tie up would be a problem which is why I think it's taken so long to sort out the deal?

Now apparently it's always been Chevy from day 1 which is strange because I can't remember reading that, now all talk is of what a great company Chevrolet are, of course it could never be said that perhaps they were the second choice?

What I'm not that sure of tbh is why Alonso is so determined to do it with Macca. You'd think considering his only goal is a one off race that he'd be better placed to run with a standout team with bags of experience like an Andretti rather than what will be a bit of a newb one off outfit with McLaren-IndyCar.

Its great and all don't get me wrong, I love the idea of McLaren doing different series and I can see some benefit for Alonso to keep close ties with Macca as a route back to F1 if he fancies it but from a getting in the best place possible to win the 500 standpoint I can think of some better alternatives and he allegedly had the offers so why the insistence he does it with McLaren?

What am I missing?

If you don't know the reason then it's probably $$$

Yep it's the financing, Alonso wouldn't want to be finding the money himself, this way McLaren stump up the money whilst Alonso just turns up and drives the car and no doubt gets paid a nice retainer as well.

I would say that goes against everything that was said before, if Chevy is the preferred chose then why did they bother with Honda in the first place or did Honda actually not say we won't supply you?

Chevy was always the one and only choice, we wouldn't want anyone thinking that McLaren got blocked by Honda in Japan perhaps?

What was said before and by whom? Afaik McLaren or Alonso never approached Honda about 2019, Chevy were McLaren's preferred choice. Honda themselves said they'd be happy to work with Alonso and he had unnamed offers to ride with other teams in Indy which may well have included Honda powered teams for all we know but he wanted to do it with McLaren.

Maybe you wouldn't want to know that McLaren had no interest with working with Honda perhaps? HPD when they said they'd happily work with Alonso never mentioned McLaren so imo based on what we've heard I'd say the likelihood is McLaren and Honda have no desire to work with each other at the moment and it was never on the table from either side.

I heard that Honda would work with Alonso but not McLaren, the problem then being that Alonso wants to do the Indy 500 with McLaren so hence it had to be with Chevy.

Right, but had you heard McLaren wanted to work with Honda in the first place? I haven't and everywhere I look I see Chevy listed as their preference for 2019.

I think McLaren and Honda would find it very difficult to work together this soon after the split tbh so the idea they wanted Chevy from the off doesn't surprise me any.

I think it's a case of what came first the chicken or the egg, all early talk was of Honda then we heard talk of problems with Honda and now it's Chevy. They've always wanted to run under the Andretti umbrella but they run Hondas so the Chevy tie up would be a problem which is why I think it's taken so long to sort out the deal?

Now apparently it's always been Chevy from day 1 which is strange because I can't remember reading that, now all talk is of what a great company Chevrolet are, of course it could never be said that perhaps they were the second choice?

Where's the early Honda talk though? Apart from that anon source from Japan that said Japan said no which HPD denied there's been nothing from McLaren,Alonso or anyone else saying Honda was the first choice for McLaren. Both Marshall Pruett and the article above say Chevy was the preference. The early Harding rumours were about running Chevy while under that Andretti umbrella. The Ed Carpenter rumours were Chevy.

The idea of Honda saying no to McLaren might put a smile on your face but the only sourceable info we have point to Chevy being first choice for McLaren at least, no idea about Alonso or if he even had a preference.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

What I'm not that sure of tbh is why Alonso is so determined to do it with Macca. You'd think considering his only goal is a one off race that he'd be better placed to run with a standout team with bags of experience like an Andretti rather than what will be a bit of a newb one off outfit with McLaren-IndyCar.

Its great and all don't get me wrong, I love the idea of McLaren doing different series and I can see some benefit for Alonso to keep close ties with Macca as a route back to F1 if he fancies it but from a getting in the best place possible to win the 500 standpoint I can think of some better alternatives and he allegedly had the offers so why the insistence he does it with McLaren?

What am I missing?

If you don't know the reason then it's probably $$$

Yep it's the financing, Alonso wouldn't want to be finding the money himself, this way McLaren stump up the money whilst Alonso just turns up and drives the car and no doubt gets paid a nice retainer as well.

Why would Alonso need to finance it himself? He had other offers in Indy according to Pruett and he also allegedly had a mega offer from Nissan in FE he turned down if money was the driving force.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

What I'm not that sure of tbh is why Alonso is so determined to do it with Macca. You'd think considering his only goal is a one off race that he'd be better placed to run with a standout team with bags of experience like an Andretti rather than what will be a bit of a newb one off outfit with McLaren-IndyCar.

Its great and all don't get me wrong, I love the idea of McLaren doing different series and I can see some benefit for Alonso to keep close ties with Macca as a route back to F1 if he fancies it but from a getting in the best place possible to win the 500 standpoint I can think of some better alternatives and he allegedly had the offers so why the insistence he does it with McLaren?

What am I missing?

Personally, I interpret it as an unfulfilled desire to have success with McLaren. He wanted to come back and win races and championships with Macca, and that didn't happen - so now he/they want to win somewhere else.

What was said before and by whom? Afaik McLaren or Alonso never approached Honda about 2019, Chevy were McLaren's preferred choice. Honda themselves said they'd be happy to work with Alonso and he had unnamed offers to ride with other teams in Indy which may well have included Honda powered teams for all we know but he wanted to do it with McLaren.

Maybe you wouldn't want to know that McLaren had no interest with working with Honda perhaps? HPD when they said they'd happily work with Alonso never mentioned McLaren so imo based on what we've heard I'd say the likelihood is McLaren and Honda have no desire to work with each other at the moment and it was never on the table from either side.

I heard that Honda would work with Alonso but not McLaren, the problem then being that Alonso wants to do the Indy 500 with McLaren so hence it had to be with Chevy.

Right, but had you heard McLaren wanted to work with Honda in the first place? I haven't and everywhere I look I see Chevy listed as their preference for 2019.

I think McLaren and Honda would find it very difficult to work together this soon after the split tbh so the idea they wanted Chevy from the off doesn't surprise me any.

I think it's a case of what came first the chicken or the egg, all early talk was of Honda then we heard talk of problems with Honda and now it's Chevy. They've always wanted to run under the Andretti umbrella but they run Hondas so the Chevy tie up would be a problem which is why I think it's taken so long to sort out the deal?

Now apparently it's always been Chevy from day 1 which is strange because I can't remember reading that, now all talk is of what a great company Chevrolet are, of course it could never be said that perhaps they were the second choice?

Where's the early Honda talk though? Apart from that anon source from Japan that said Japan said no which HPD denied there's been nothing from McLaren,Alonso or anyone else saying Honda was the first choice for McLaren. Both Marshall Pruett and the article above say Chevy was the preference. The early Harding rumours were about running Chevy while under that Andretti umbrella. The Ed Carpenter rumours were Chevy.

The idea of Honda saying no to McLaren might put a smile on your face but the only sourceable info we have point to Chevy being first choice for McLaren at least, no idea about Alonso or if he even had a preference.

In respect to McLaren I didn't want the Honda project to fail it would have only added to the quality of the show, my only crticism of McLaren was how they blamed everything on Honda and then utterly failed this year.

What I'm not that sure of tbh is why Alonso is so determined to do it with Macca. You'd think considering his only goal is a one off race that he'd be better placed to run with a standout team with bags of experience like an Andretti rather than what will be a bit of a newb one off outfit with McLaren-IndyCar.

Its great and all don't get me wrong, I love the idea of McLaren doing different series and I can see some benefit for Alonso to keep close ties with Macca as a route back to F1 if he fancies it but from a getting in the best place possible to win the 500 standpoint I can think of some better alternatives and he allegedly had the offers so why the insistence he does it with McLaren?

What am I missing?

If you don't know the reason then it's probably $$$

Yep it's the financing, Alonso wouldn't want to be finding the money himself, this way McLaren stump up the money whilst Alonso just turns up and drives the car and no doubt gets paid a nice retainer as well.

Why would Alonso need to finance it himself? He had other offers in Indy according to Pruett and he also allegedly had a mega offer from Nissan in FE he turned down if money was the driving force.

I believe the offers in Indy were not with the top teams, Alonso wants a car to give him the best chance to win the Indy 500 and McLaren are prepared to facilitate this out of their own pockets, money is not the issue for Alonso as such so long as it's not his own money he is spending but at the end of the day he does expect to be paid.

In respect to FE it doesn't have this mythical triple crown that all of a sudden has become a thing to win.

What was said before and by whom? Afaik McLaren or Alonso never approached Honda about 2019, Chevy were McLaren's preferred choice. Honda themselves said they'd be happy to work with Alonso and he had unnamed offers to ride with other teams in Indy which may well have included Honda powered teams for all we know but he wanted to do it with McLaren.

Maybe you wouldn't want to know that McLaren had no interest with working with Honda perhaps? HPD when they said they'd happily work with Alonso never mentioned McLaren so imo based on what we've heard I'd say the likelihood is McLaren and Honda have no desire to work with each other at the moment and it was never on the table from either side.

I heard that Honda would work with Alonso but not McLaren, the problem then being that Alonso wants to do the Indy 500 with McLaren so hence it had to be with Chevy.

Right, but had you heard McLaren wanted to work with Honda in the first place? I haven't and everywhere I look I see Chevy listed as their preference for 2019.

I think McLaren and Honda would find it very difficult to work together this soon after the split tbh so the idea they wanted Chevy from the off doesn't surprise me any.

I think it's a case of what came first the chicken or the egg, all early talk was of Honda then we heard talk of problems with Honda and now it's Chevy. They've always wanted to run under the Andretti umbrella but they run Hondas so the Chevy tie up would be a problem which is why I think it's taken so long to sort out the deal?

Now apparently it's always been Chevy from day 1 which is strange because I can't remember reading that, now all talk is of what a great company Chevrolet are, of course it could never be said that perhaps they were the second choice?

Where's the early Honda talk though? Apart from that anon source from Japan that said Japan said no which HPD denied there's been nothing from McLaren,Alonso or anyone else saying Honda was the first choice for McLaren. Both Marshall Pruett and the article above say Chevy was the preference. The early Harding rumours were about running Chevy while under that Andretti umbrella. The Ed Carpenter rumours were Chevy.

The idea of Honda saying no to McLaren might put a smile on your face but the only sourceable info we have point to Chevy being first choice for McLaren at least, no idea about Alonso or if he even had a preference.

In respect to McLaren I didn't want the Honda project to fail it would have only added to the quality of the show, my only crticism of McLaren was how they blamed everything on Honda and then utterly failed this year.[/quote]

I notice in an article linked to that one (https://motorsportnotes.com/2018/10/22/ ... -long-con/) Alonso's welcome seems to be waring a little thin and he is seen as just using Indy as what they call 'plan B' when he can not do what he really wants. Or maybe its just one persons view, I dont know the 'reporter'

"No longer in demand, no longer relevant and the records of Schumacher, Hamilton and Vettel forever out of his reach. It is that impending irrelevance and unfulfilled promise that seems to have triggered this whole exercise" is likely to upset many, Is this really the way he is seen in Indy?

It gets worse (to Alonso) from that paragraph on, so I shy away from posting it here. I can not see who wrote it, but grantee he is crossed off some Christmas card lists.

What I'm not that sure of tbh is why Alonso is so determined to do it with Macca. You'd think considering his only goal is a one off race that he'd be better placed to run with a standout team with bags of experience like an Andretti rather than what will be a bit of a newb one off outfit with McLaren-IndyCar.

Its great and all don't get me wrong, I love the idea of McLaren doing different series and I can see some benefit for Alonso to keep close ties with Macca as a route back to F1 if he fancies it but from a getting in the best place possible to win the 500 standpoint I can think of some better alternatives and he allegedly had the offers so why the insistence he does it with McLaren?

What am I missing?

Personally, I interpret it as an unfulfilled desire to have success with McLaren. He wanted to come back and win races and championships with Macca, and that didn't happen - so now he/they want to win somewhere else.

That and the keeping the relationship open for a F1 return sounds about right to me anyway.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

I heard that Honda would work with Alonso but not McLaren, the problem then being that Alonso wants to do the Indy 500 with McLaren so hence it had to be with Chevy.

Right, but had you heard McLaren wanted to work with Honda in the first place? I haven't and everywhere I look I see Chevy listed as their preference for 2019.

I think McLaren and Honda would find it very difficult to work together this soon after the split tbh so the idea they wanted Chevy from the off doesn't surprise me any.

I think it's a case of what came first the chicken or the egg, all early talk was of Honda then we heard talk of problems with Honda and now it's Chevy. They've always wanted to run under the Andretti umbrella but they run Hondas so the Chevy tie up would be a problem which is why I think it's taken so long to sort out the deal?

Now apparently it's always been Chevy from day 1 which is strange because I can't remember reading that, now all talk is of what a great company Chevrolet are, of course it could never be said that perhaps they were the second choice?

Where's the early Honda talk though? Apart from that anon source from Japan that said Japan said no which HPD denied there's been nothing from McLaren,Alonso or anyone else saying Honda was the first choice for McLaren. Both Marshall Pruett and the article above say Chevy was the preference. The early Harding rumours were about running Chevy while under that Andretti umbrella. The Ed Carpenter rumours were Chevy.

The idea of Honda saying no to McLaren might put a smile on your face but the only sourceable info we have point to Chevy being first choice for McLaren at least, no idea about Alonso or if he even had a preference.

In respect to McLaren I didn't want the Honda project to fail it would have only added to the quality of the show, my only crticism of McLaren was how they blamed everything on Honda and then utterly failed this year.

Just looks like an anonymous blog to me with nothing new about Honda saying No, not even where he gets it from. And the author clearly has a distaste for Alonso as well.

I'll take Honda's own words and Pruett's comments over something like that tbh.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

What I'm not that sure of tbh is why Alonso is so determined to do it with Macca. You'd think considering his only goal is a one off race that he'd be better placed to run with a standout team with bags of experience like an Andretti rather than what will be a bit of a newb one off outfit with McLaren-IndyCar.

Its great and all don't get me wrong, I love the idea of McLaren doing different series and I can see some benefit for Alonso to keep close ties with Macca as a route back to F1 if he fancies it but from a getting in the best place possible to win the 500 standpoint I can think of some better alternatives and he allegedly had the offers so why the insistence he does it with McLaren?

What am I missing?

If you don't know the reason then it's probably $$$

Yep it's the financing, Alonso wouldn't want to be finding the money himself, this way McLaren stump up the money whilst Alonso just turns up and drives the car and no doubt gets paid a nice retainer as well.

Why would Alonso need to finance it himself? He had other offers in Indy according to Pruett and he also allegedly had a mega offer from Nissan in FE he turned down if money was the driving force.

I believe the offers in Indy were not with the top teams, Alonso wants a car to give him the best chance to win the Indy 500 and McLaren are prepared to facilitate this out of their own pockets, money is not the issue for Alonso as such so long as it's not his own money he is spending but at the end of the day he does expect to be paid.

In respect to FE it doesn't have this mythical triple crown that all of a sudden has become a thing to win.

Source for the offers weren't from the top teams?

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

Yep it's the financing, Alonso wouldn't want to be finding the money himself, this way McLaren stump up the money whilst Alonso just turns up and drives the car and no doubt gets paid a nice retainer as well.

Why would Alonso need to finance it himself? He had other offers in Indy according to Pruett and he also allegedly had a mega offer from Nissan in FE he turned down if money was the driving force.

I believe the offers in Indy were not with the top teams, Alonso wants a car to give him the best chance to win the Indy 500 and McLaren are prepared to facilitate this out of their own pockets, money is not the issue for Alonso as such so long as it's not his own money he is spending but at the end of the day he does expect to be paid.

In respect to FE it doesn't have this mythical triple crown that all of a sudden has become a thing to win.

Source for the offers weren't from the top teams?

I'm not sure I'm the one that has to prove that Alonso was wanted by the top teams?

Right, but had you heard McLaren wanted to work with Honda in the first place? I haven't and everywhere I look I see Chevy listed as their preference for 2019.

I think McLaren and Honda would find it very difficult to work together this soon after the split tbh so the idea they wanted Chevy from the off doesn't surprise me any.

I think it's a case of what came first the chicken or the egg, all early talk was of Honda then we heard talk of problems with Honda and now it's Chevy. They've always wanted to run under the Andretti umbrella but they run Hondas so the Chevy tie up would be a problem which is why I think it's taken so long to sort out the deal?

Now apparently it's always been Chevy from day 1 which is strange because I can't remember reading that, now all talk is of what a great company Chevrolet are, of course it could never be said that perhaps they were the second choice?

Where's the early Honda talk though? Apart from that anon source from Japan that said Japan said no which HPD denied there's been nothing from McLaren,Alonso or anyone else saying Honda was the first choice for McLaren. Both Marshall Pruett and the article above say Chevy was the preference. The early Harding rumours were about running Chevy while under that Andretti umbrella. The Ed Carpenter rumours were Chevy.

The idea of Honda saying no to McLaren might put a smile on your face but the only sourceable info we have point to Chevy being first choice for McLaren at least, no idea about Alonso or if he even had a preference.

In respect to McLaren I didn't want the Honda project to fail it would have only added to the quality of the show, my only crticism of McLaren was how they blamed everything on Honda and then utterly failed this year.

Just looks like an anonymous blog to me with nothing new about Honda saying No, not even where he gets it from. And the author clearly has a distaste for Alonso as well.

I'll take Honda's own words and Pruett's comments over something like that tbh.

There's been loads of articles discussing this going back months, is this more reputable?

I believe the offers in Indy were not with the top teams, Alonso wants a car to give him the best chance to win the Indy 500 and McLaren are prepared to facilitate this out of their own pockets, money is not the issue for Alonso as such so long as it's not his own money he is spending but at the end of the day he does expect to be paid.

In respect to FE it doesn't have this mythical triple crown that all of a sudden has become a thing to win.

Source for the offers weren't from the top teams?

I'm not sure I'm the one that has to prove that Alonso was wanted by the top teams?

I think you are, in this case. You stated 'I believe the offers in Indy were not with the top teams', which seems to be an assertion that you have knowledge of the subject. If you don't, then you have no basis to say that the offers weren't from top teams.

I believe the offers in Indy were not with the top teams, Alonso wants a car to give him the best chance to win the Indy 500 and McLaren are prepared to facilitate this out of their own pockets, money is not the issue for Alonso as such so long as it's not his own money he is spending but at the end of the day he does expect to be paid.

In respect to FE it doesn't have this mythical triple crown that all of a sudden has become a thing to win.

Source for the offers weren't from the top teams?

I'm not sure I'm the one that has to prove that Alonso was wanted by the top teams?

I think you are, in this case. You stated 'I believe the offers in Indy were not with the top teams', which seems to be an assertion that you have knowledge of the subject. If you don't, then you have no basis to say that the offers weren't from top teams.

I'm not sure I'm the one that has to prove that Alonso was wanted by the top teams?

I think you are, in this case. You stated 'I believe the offers in Indy were not with the top teams', which seems to be an assertion that you have knowledge of the subject. If you don't, then you have no basis to say that the offers weren't from top teams.

If there was no offers how would I find them?

You could start by telling us what made you believe there wasn't offers from the top teams in the first place.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

I think it's a case of what came first the chicken or the egg, all early talk was of Honda then we heard talk of problems with Honda and now it's Chevy. They've always wanted to run under the Andretti umbrella but they run Hondas so the Chevy tie up would be a problem which is why I think it's taken so long to sort out the deal?

Now apparently it's always been Chevy from day 1 which is strange because I can't remember reading that, now all talk is of what a great company Chevrolet are, of course it could never be said that perhaps they were the second choice?

Where's the early Honda talk though? Apart from that anon source from Japan that said Japan said no which HPD denied there's been nothing from McLaren,Alonso or anyone else saying Honda was the first choice for McLaren. Both Marshall Pruett and the article above say Chevy was the preference. The early Harding rumours were about running Chevy while under that Andretti umbrella. The Ed Carpenter rumours were Chevy.

The idea of Honda saying no to McLaren might put a smile on your face but the only sourceable info we have point to Chevy being first choice for McLaren at least, no idea about Alonso or if he even had a preference.

In respect to McLaren I didn't want the Honda project to fail it would have only added to the quality of the show, my only crticism of McLaren was how they blamed everything on Honda and then utterly failed this year.

Just looks like an anonymous blog to me with nothing new about Honda saying No, not even where he gets it from. And the author clearly has a distaste for Alonso as well.

I'll take Honda's own words and Pruett's comments over something like that tbh.

There's been loads of articles discussing this going back months, is this more reputable?

Yeah its more reputable and its also the one Honda and Andretti denied was true and I've no reason to doubt them.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

I'm not sure I'm the one that has to prove that Alonso was wanted by the top teams?

I think you are, in this case. You stated 'I believe the offers in Indy were not with the top teams', which seems to be an assertion that you have knowledge of the subject. If you don't, then you have no basis to say that the offers weren't from top teams.

If there was no offers how would I find them?

You could start by telling us what made you believe there wasn't offers from the top teams in the first place.

Maybe because I would have heard about them?

In fact has there been any offers at all, Alonso running with McLaren seems very much set in stone?

Where's the early Honda talk though? Apart from that anon source from Japan that said Japan said no which HPD denied there's been nothing from McLaren,Alonso or anyone else saying Honda was the first choice for McLaren. Both Marshall Pruett and the article above say Chevy was the preference. The early Harding rumours were about running Chevy while under that Andretti umbrella. The Ed Carpenter rumours were Chevy.

The idea of Honda saying no to McLaren might put a smile on your face but the only sourceable info we have point to Chevy being first choice for McLaren at least, no idea about Alonso or if he even had a preference.

In respect to McLaren I didn't want the Honda project to fail it would have only added to the quality of the show, my only crticism of McLaren was how they blamed everything on Honda and then utterly failed this year.

Just looks like an anonymous blog to me with nothing new about Honda saying No, not even where he gets it from. And the author clearly has a distaste for Alonso as well.

I'll take Honda's own words and Pruett's comments over something like that tbh.

There's been loads of articles discussing this going back months, is this more reputable?

I'm not sure I'm the one that has to prove that Alonso was wanted by the top teams?

I think you are, in this case. You stated 'I believe the offers in Indy were not with the top teams', which seems to be an assertion that you have knowledge of the subject. If you don't, then you have no basis to say that the offers weren't from top teams.

If there was no offers how would I find them?

You could start by telling us what made you believe there wasn't offers from the top teams in the first place.

Maybe because I would have heard about them?

In fact has there been any offers at all, Alonso running with McLaren seems very much set in stone?

Marshall Pruett talked about offers in his podcast. Why would you only hear about them if they were from the big teams?

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

In respect to McLaren I didn't want the Honda project to fail it would have only added to the quality of the show, my only crticism of McLaren was how they blamed everything on Honda and then utterly failed this year.

Just looks like an anonymous blog to me with nothing new about Honda saying No, not even where he gets it from. And the author clearly has a distaste for Alonso as well.

I'll take Honda's own words and Pruett's comments over something like that tbh.

There's been loads of articles discussing this going back months, is this more reputable?

Yeah its more reputable and its also the one Honda and Andretti denied was true and I've no reason to doubt them.

Honda America, it's Honda back at home that were said to have any kind of issue.

From the very same article...

Quote:

"Earlier this year, Honda F1 boss Masashi Yamamoto told Autosport a decision would be made by HPD in America, rather than the overall brand"

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

I think you are, in this case. You stated 'I believe the offers in Indy were not with the top teams', which seems to be an assertion that you have knowledge of the subject. If you don't, then you have no basis to say that the offers weren't from top teams.

If there was no offers how would I find them?

You could start by telling us what made you believe there wasn't offers from the top teams in the first place.

Maybe because I would have heard about them?

In fact has there been any offers at all, Alonso running with McLaren seems very much set in stone?

Marshall Pruett talked about offers in his podcast. Why would you only hear about them if they were from the big teams?

You could start by telling us what made you believe there wasn't offers from the top teams in the first place.

Maybe because I would have heard about them?

In fact has there been any offers at all, Alonso running with McLaren seems very much set in stone?

Marshall Pruett talked about offers in his podcast. Why would you only hear about them if they were from the big teams?

I think that would make big news?

Well Pruett (And Chris Medland who was in the podcast) never specified where the offers came from but I really don't understand ruling out the possibility they were from any of the bigger teams just because you didn't hear about it or it didnpt make a splash.

Its IndyCar not F1 so the amount of people who even know which is a big team and which isn't is going to be relatively limited and running with McLaren was his preference so there's probably little interest in digging into who exactly it was but ruling the bigger ones out seems strange to me.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

Yeah its more reputable and its also the one Honda and Andretti denied was true and I've no reason to doubt them.

Honda America, it's Honda back at home that were said to have any kind of issue.

From the very same article...

Quote:

"Earlier this year, Honda F1 boss Masashi Yamamoto told Autosport a decision would be made by HPD in America, rather than the overall brand"

Then there's other articles that said that Alonso driving for Toyota, Honda's arch enemy, would scupper any kind of deal with Honda for next year.

Also let's go back to what has been said previously if Chevy was McLaren's only choice because they had no interest in Honda then why would Honda America need to be making any kind of decision, it's taken a long time to finalise the Indy 500 drive, why so long, I'm sure the 2017 drive didn't take as long?

Yeah its more reputable and its also the one Honda and Andretti denied was true and I've no reason to doubt them.

Honda America, it's Honda back at home that were said to have any kind of issue.

From the very same article...

Quote:

"Earlier this year, Honda F1 boss Masashi Yamamoto told Autosport a decision would be made by HPD in America, rather than the overall brand"

Then there's other articles that said that Alonso driving for Toyota, Honda's arch enemy, would scupper any kind of deal with Honda for next year.

Also let's go back to what has been said previously if Chevy was McLaren's only choice because they had no interest in Honda then why would Honda America need to be making any kind of decision, it's taken a long time to finalise the Indy 500 drive, why so long, I'm sure the 2017 drive didn't take as long?

The Toyota problem was mooted in a few places yeah and I can buy that one but it wasn't from any official source or anything, it was just stabs in the dark again in terms of wondering whats going to happen like will it be a full season or just the 500 and such like. Just speculative pieces whereas we have actual quotes from HPD and Andretti and the like.

HPC were probably asked by journos lots of times about running Alonso. It doesn't mean it was in a response to an actual McLaren approach. As to why its taken so long then where to start? They're setting up a team, any engine availability would need sorted even if they did choose Chevy, Chevy might need some time to make some moves. Having Alonso is a pretty big deal for them and there's already reports* that they're moving some of their best engine guys over to McLaren from other teams to help them which highlights some of the things going on in the background, which all takes time of course. Plus Zak would need the ok to even go to IndyCar with a McLaren team from his bosses. Harding just switched from Chevy to Honda so maybe that needed sorted as well, who knows.

Why do you find the idea that McLaren would want Chevy over Honda so far fetched?

*Latest Pruett podcast.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

You could start by telling us what made you believe there wasn't offers from the top teams in the first place.

Maybe because I would have heard about them?

In fact has there been any offers at all, Alonso running with McLaren seems very much set in stone?

Marshall Pruett talked about offers in his podcast. Why would you only hear about them if they were from the big teams?

I think that would make big news?

Well Pruett (And Chris Medland who was in the podcast) never specified where the offers came from but I really don't understand ruling out the possibility they were from any of the bigger teams just because you didn't hear about it or it didnpt make a splash.

Its IndyCar not F1 so the amount of people who even know which is a big team and which isn't is going to be relatively limited and running with McLaren was his preference so there's probably little interest in digging into who exactly it was but ruling the bigger ones out seems strange to me.

Yeah its more reputable and its also the one Honda and Andretti denied was true and I've no reason to doubt them.

Honda America, it's Honda back at home that were said to have any kind of issue.

From the very same article...

Quote:

"Earlier this year, Honda F1 boss Masashi Yamamoto told Autosport a decision would be made by HPD in America, rather than the overall brand"

Then there's other articles that said that Alonso driving for Toyota, Honda's arch enemy, would scupper any kind of deal with Honda for next year.

Also let's go back to what has been said previously if Chevy was McLaren's only choice because they had no interest in Honda then why would Honda America need to be making any kind of decision, it's taken a long time to finalise the Indy 500 drive, why so long, I'm sure the 2017 drive didn't take as long?

The Toyota problem was mooted in a few places yeah and I can buy that one but it wasn't from any official source or anything, it was just stabs in the dark again in terms of wondering whats going to happen like will it be a full season or just the 500 and such like. Just speculative pieces whereas we have actual quotes from HPD and Andretti and the like.

HPC were probably asked by journos lots of times about running Alonso. It doesn't mean it was in a response to an actual McLaren approach. As to why its taken so long then where to start? They're setting up a team, any engine availability would need sorted even if they did choose Chevy, Chevy might need some time to make some moves. Having Alonso is a pretty big deal for them and there's already reports* that they're moving some of their best engine guys over to McLaren from other teams to help them which highlights some of the things going on in the background, which all takes time of course. Plus Zak would need the ok to even go to IndyCar with a McLaren team from his bosses. Harding just switched from Chevy to Honda so maybe that needed sorted as well, who knows.

Why do you find the idea that McLaren would want Chevy over Honda so far fetched?

In fact has there been any offers at all, Alonso running with McLaren seems very much set in stone?

Marshall Pruett talked about offers in his podcast. Why would you only hear about them if they were from the big teams?

I think that would make big news?

Well Pruett (And Chris Medland who was in the podcast) never specified where the offers came from but I really don't understand ruling out the possibility they were from any of the bigger teams just because you didn't hear about it or it didnpt make a splash.

Its IndyCar not F1 so the amount of people who even know which is a big team and which isn't is going to be relatively limited and running with McLaren was his preference so there's probably little interest in digging into who exactly it was but ruling the bigger ones out seems strange to me.

Are they privy to information that other reporters don't get?

I doubt it, why? I'd assume they asked the right person or were told from a source like normally.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

Honda America, it's Honda back at home that were said to have any kind of issue.

From the very same article...

Quote:

"Earlier this year, Honda F1 boss Masashi Yamamoto told Autosport a decision would be made by HPD in America, rather than the overall brand"

Then there's other articles that said that Alonso driving for Toyota, Honda's arch enemy, would scupper any kind of deal with Honda for next year.

Also let's go back to what has been said previously if Chevy was McLaren's only choice because they had no interest in Honda then why would Honda America need to be making any kind of decision, it's taken a long time to finalise the Indy 500 drive, why so long, I'm sure the 2017 drive didn't take as long?

The Toyota problem was mooted in a few places yeah and I can buy that one but it wasn't from any official source or anything, it was just stabs in the dark again in terms of wondering whats going to happen like will it be a full season or just the 500 and such like. Just speculative pieces whereas we have actual quotes from HPD and Andretti and the like.

HPC were probably asked by journos lots of times about running Alonso. It doesn't mean it was in a response to an actual McLaren approach. As to why its taken so long then where to start? They're setting up a team, any engine availability would need sorted even if they did choose Chevy, Chevy might need some time to make some moves. Having Alonso is a pretty big deal for them and there's already reports* that they're moving some of their best engine guys over to McLaren from other teams to help them which highlights some of the things going on in the background, which all takes time of course. Plus Zak would need the ok to even go to IndyCar with a McLaren team from his bosses. Harding just switched from Chevy to Honda so maybe that needed sorted as well, who knows.

Why do you find the idea that McLaren would want Chevy over Honda so far fetched?

Fernando Alonso will use a Chevrolet engine for his bid to win the Indianapolis 500 next year, his McLaren team have confirmed.

The announcement was a formality because Honda, the only other engine manufacturer in Indycar, had refused to supply an engine for Alonso's car.

I'll believe Honda but you're obviously free to believe what you want.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

Marshall Pruett talked about offers in his podcast. Why would you only hear about them if they were from the big teams?

I think that would make big news?

Well Pruett (And Chris Medland who was in the podcast) never specified where the offers came from but I really don't understand ruling out the possibility they were from any of the bigger teams just because you didn't hear about it or it didnpt make a splash.

Its IndyCar not F1 so the amount of people who even know which is a big team and which isn't is going to be relatively limited and running with McLaren was his preference so there's probably little interest in digging into who exactly it was but ruling the bigger ones out seems strange to me.

Are they privy to information that other reporters don't get?

I doubt it, why? I'd assume they asked the right person or were told from a source like normally.

Well Pruett (And Chris Medland who was in the podcast) never specified where the offers came from but I really don't understand ruling out the possibility they were from any of the bigger teams just because you didn't hear about it or it didn't make a splash.

Its IndyCar not F1 so the amount of people who even know which is a big team and which isn't is going to be relatively limited and running with McLaren was his preference so there's probably little interest in digging into who exactly it was but ruling the bigger ones out seems strange to me.

Are they privy to information that other reporters don't get?

I doubt it, why? I'd assume they asked the right person or were told from a source like normally.

I highly doubt it was because they couldn't, it just wasn't the point that was being made, it was just a throwaway line about Alonso going to the 500 irregardless if McLaren were going to go but since they were going the thrust of the convo was about them and what technical partnerships they might have iirc.

From memory they spent more time talking about the possible second seat than anything about what Alonso would do without Macca going, it just wasn't the point because they'd just announced they were going.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967